Gagne looks familiar to Williams

So far, this is the Simon Gagne the Kings hoped to see, as Gagne has started the season with three goals and four assists in five games while playing a first-line role alongside center Anze Kopitar and right winger Justin Williams. The Kings’ signing of Gagne didn’t get as much attention as their trade for Mike Richards, and somewhat understandably so. Gagne had spent his entire 11-year NHL career on the East Coast and, in three of the previous four seasons, he had battled injuries.

Williams, though, knew all about Gagne. The wingers were teammates in Philadelphia and, when Williams learned that the Kings were interested in Gagne this summer, he encouraged Gagne to come to Los Angeles. Los Angeles fans are now getting to see what made Williams so excited…

WILLIAMS: “Playing on the East Coast, there’s a handful of players on our team that you didn’t know much about. Rob Scuderi, myself, Simon, we regularly played out East and never came West very much, so nobody knows much about them but I’m certainly familiar with Simon and I know Kopi is getting a little bit more too. He’s so easy to play with out there. He makes little possession plays that allow us to hold onto the puck. He has great offensive instincts. I played my first 4 1/2 years with him, and forgot how much I missed playing with him, so I’m glad he’s back.’’

Question: You can certainly relate to his situation a bit, as a guy who had to battle through some injuries. Do you see him coming out the other side of that now?

WILLIAMS: “We’re both kind of in the same boat, very similar, with various injuries. It’s still early and I know he’s just looking for an 82-game season, just like I am and just like most guys are, but especially us. We’re hoping to play the majority of the games, and hopefully all 82, and be productive doing it. I know that’s what Simon wants to do.’’